Hosea 11:1–12

The Lord’s Love for Israel

¹“When Israel was a child, I loved him,

and I called my son out of Egypt.

²But the more I called to him,

the farther he moved from me,

offering sacrifices to the images of Baal

and burning incense to idols.

³I myself taught Israel how to walk,

leading him along by the hand.

But he doesn’t know or even care

that it was I who took care of him.

⁴I led Israel along

with my ropes of kindness and love.

I lifted the yoke from his neck,

and I myself stooped to feed him.

⁵“But since my people refuse to return to me,

they will return to Egypt

and will be forced to serve Assyria.

⁶War will swirl through their cities;

their enemies will crash through their gates.

They will destroy them,

trapping them in their own evil plans.

⁷For my people are determined to desert me.

They call me the Most High,

but they don’t truly honor me.

⁸“Oh, how can I give you up, Israel?

How can I let you go?

How can I destroy you like Admah

or demolish you like Zeboiim?

My heart is torn within me,

and my compassion overflows.

⁹No, I will not unleash my fierce anger.

I will not completely destroy Israel,

for I am God and not a mere mortal.

I am the Holy One living among you,

and I will not come to destroy.

¹⁰For someday the people will follow me.

I, the Lord, will roar like a lion.

And when I roar,

my people will return trembling from the west.

¹¹Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt.

Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria.

And I will bring them home again,”

says the Lord.

Charges against Israel and Judah

¹² Israel surrounds me with lies and deceit,

but Judah still obeys God

and is faithful to the Holy One.